THOREAU, NM – In a recent development, Camille Damon, Ronald Belone, and Tyran Begay, all enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on an indictment accusing them of first-degree murder and kidnapping resulting in death outside of Thoreau, New Mexico. The charges stem from a gruesome incident that allegedly occurred between February 6 and February 15, 2020, in McKinley County.
The indictment, announced by Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, alleges that the three defendants kidnapped an individual identified as John Doe before brutally ending his life in a remote location near Smith Lake, New Mexico. The victim was reportedly restrained, beaten, and strangled with a ligature.
The accused individuals face serious charges, with Count 1 accusing them of first-degree murder under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 and 1111, including aiding and abetting under 18 U.S.C. § 2. Count 2 charges them with kidnapping resulting in death under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 and 1201(a)(2), also involving aiding and abetting under 18 U.S.C. § 2.
As the legal process unfolds, it's important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, Damon, Belone, and Begay could face mandatory life imprisonment.
Tyran Begay, 38, comes from Teec No Pos, Arizona, and remains in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. Camille Damon, 44, from Mexican Springs, New Mexico, and Ronald Belone, 40, of Yahtahey, New Mexico, are currently in temporary custody and will undergo a detention hearing on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Probasco is handling the prosecution.
The Cibola Citizen will continue to follow this case and update as more information becomes available.